ed
over, as I saw it first through the Cruelty's barred windows, and as I
must see it again, now that--

"You see, you don't know it quite all--yet, Mr. Manager!" I spat it out
at him, and then walked to the cop, my hands ready for the bracelets.

"But there's one thing I do know!" He's a big fellow but quick on his
feet, and in a minute he was up and between me and the cop. "And there
isn't a theatrical man in all America that knows it quicker than Fred
Obermuller, that can detect it sooner and develop it better. And
you've got it, girl, you've got it! ... Officer, take this for your
trouble. I couldn't hold the fellow, after all. Never mind which way
he went; I'll call up the office and explain."

He shut the door after the cop, and came back to me. I had fallen into
a chair. My knees were weak, and I was trembling all over.

"Have you seen the playlet Charity at the Vaudeville?" he roared at me.

I shook my head.

"Well, it's a scene in a foundling asylum. Here's a pass. Go up now
and see it. If you hurry you'll get there just in time for that act.
Then if you come to me at the office in the morning at ten, I'll give
you a chance as one of the Charity girls. Do you want it?"

God, Mag! Do I want it!

V.

Do you remember Lady Patronesses' Day at the Cruelty, Mag? Remember how
the place smelt of cleaning ammonia on the bare floors? Remember the
black dresses we all wore, and the white aprons with the little bibs,
and the oily sweetness of the matron, and how our faces shone and
tingled from the soap and the rubbing? Remember it all?

Well, who'd 'a' thought then that Nance Olden ever would make use of
it--on the level, too!

Drop the Cruelty, and tell you about the stage? Why, it's bare boards
back there, bare as the Cruelty, but oh, there's something that you
don't see, but you feel it--something magic that makes you want to
pinch yourself to be sure you're awake. I go round there just doped
with it; my face, if you could see it, must look like Molly's kid's
when she is telling him fairy stories.

I love it, Mag! I love it!

And what do I do? That's what I was trying to tell you about the
Cruelty for. It's in a little act that was made for Lady Gray, that
there are four Charity girls on the stage, and I'm one of 'em.

Lady Gray? Why, Mag, how can you ever hope to get on if you don't know
who's who? How can you expect me to associate with you if you're so
ignorant? Yes--a re